(Un) easy selection of light bulbs - what to consider when buying light sources?

We’ve been used to classic bulbs for years. However, other light sources that have many benefits and a decisive advantage over classic incandescent bulbs have also been widely available for a long time. They are more efficient and use less energy. What should we pay attention to when choosing bulbs? What parameters are important?

What to consider when buying light bulbs?

We’ve been used to classic bulbs for years. However, others have also been publicly available for a long time Light Sources, which have many advantages and a definite advantage over classic incandescent bulbs. They are more efficient and use less energy. What should we pay attention to when choosing bulbs? What parameters are important?

How to choose the right bulbs?

When planning the purchase of light bulbs, we should primarily consider the characteristics of the illuminated room. Different surfaces require different amounts of light. It is known that the bedroom does not need the same lighting as, for example, kitchen or living room. In the bedroom we need a soft light - that’s why you should choose light bulbs with less power. In the office, on the contrary. It is the place where we work and need to see clearly, it is worth choosing higher-power bulbs here.

Another factor is the size of the illuminated surface - the larger it is, the more light it needs. Typically, this involves the purchase of more light sources that are worth placing in several points of the room.

The function of the specific lamp for which we want to buy a light bulb is also important. If this is a sconce in the living room, which is designed to gently illuminate the wall of the room, but it is definitely not the main light point, then we should choose a light bulb that gives off little light. Similarly to the central lamp in the living room, choose light bulbs that emit more light.

What to consider when choosing a bulb?

When choosing light bulbs, we primarily focus on the number of lumens, not watts. The number of lumens informs us about the amount of light emitted by the bulb. The number of watts indicates how much power the bulb consumes - it has nothing to do with its brightness! Therefore, we are interested in the luminous flux of a given model expressed in lumens (lm), which informs us how brightly a given bulb shines.

A classic light bulb absorbs more energy and emits less light than other more modern light sources. In our store in the department Light Sources both classic bulbs as well as halogen, LED and others are available. Below is a comparison of two available light sources - classic and LED.

Traditional OSRAM bulb:

Power: 60 W Luminous flux: 335 lm

LED light source:

Power: 4 W. Luminous flux: 350 lm

What does this information mean in practice? A traditional light bulb draws 60 W of energy and emits 335 lumens of light. The LED light source emits a similar amount of lumens, but consumes only 4W of energy - it is an energy-saving solution and beneficial for our portfolio.

LED replacements for traditional bulbs

If you decide to buy LED light sources, and you are used to buying traditional light bulbs, it is worth to read the information below about the estimated conversion of W to lm.

A traditional 60 W bulb, which can be the main light source, can be effectively replaced by an LED bulb with a luminous flux between 500-700 lm. A 40 W light bulb, a light bulb with such power will be effective in spot lighting, e.g. for reading, corresponds to an LED bulb with a luminous flux between 300-500 lm. In the hallway or corridor, a traditional 25 W bulb is sufficient, and in the case of a LED replacement, the bulb is in the range of 200-300 lm. A 15 Watt incandescent bulb is effectively equal to 100 to 200 lm LED bulbs. This light source will work, for example, in the bedside lamp or wall lamp.

See the offer of bulbs in our store Light Sources.